Air chiefs: G20 summit will cause delays at Heathrow

Tens of thousands of airport passengers face delays and cancellations when Britain hosts the G20 summit of world leaders in London, airline chiefs have admitted.

Virgin Atlantic warned disruption was "inevitable" next month if all the prime ministers and presidents flew into the UK through Heathrow. British Airways believes the airport will encounter "pressures" similar to those experienced when then US president George Bush visited the UK last June.

An estimated 40,000 passengers suffered delays which were blamed on the president's trip. Both airlines are now urging ministers to consider using other airports, possibly the military base at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire.

Aviation sources suggested other London airports including Gatwick and Stansted may be used but this is likely to increase the complexity of the multi-million-pound security operation.

Geoff Clark, head of flight operations regulatory affairs for Virgin, told the Commons all-party transport committee that steps would be taken to minimise problems if only Heathrow was used, but said: "Will there be disruption? Inevitably, I would imagine there would be."

Captain Dean Plumb, manager of technical developments for British Airways, said that ministers, BAA, air traffic chiefs and airlines should examine using other airports. Gordon Brown hopes the summit will boost his flagging poll ratings as he takes centre stage in the global response to the economic crisis.

But Tory MP Mark Pritchard, who sits on the transport committee, stressed the G20 on 2 April would be attended by US President Barack Obama and at least 19 other world leaders. He said: "Ministers have not learnt the lessons of the past. Their inaction means more disruption for the travelling public."

A Department for Transport spokesman said: "Building on the experience of previous visits, we have been working with the airport operator and air traffic control and are confident that any disruption will be kept to a minimum."